Lot 631

(DOOLITTLE MISSION) NAVIGATOR CARL R. WILDNER'S FLIGHT WINGS (3+)

Previous image preload Next image preload

(DOOLITTLE MISSION) NAVIGATOR CARL R. WILDNER'S FLIGHT WINGS (3+)

Estimate: $800 - $1,200

Current Bid: $440

(3 Bids)

by Alexander Historical Auctions LLC
July 30, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
106 East Main Street, Suite 103
Elkton, MD, US 21921

(DOOLITTLE MISSION) NAVIGATOR CARL R. WILDNER'S FLIGHT WINGS (3+)
Lt. Col. CARL R. WILDNER (1915-1994) served as the navigator with Crew #2 aboard Plane #40-2292 piloted by Capt. Travis Hoover. They followed Doolittle's bomber until it reached the Japanese shore, at which time Hoover veered off to bomb his own targets, two factory buildings and storehouses. He then trailed Doolittle most of the way to China where he managed to make a wheels-up crash-landing in a soft rice paddy. The crew, uninjured, torched their B-25 and walked for three days before friendly local guerilla fighters found them. Wildner later served in India until July 1943. Important lot of three of Wildner's Navigator's Wings, pin back attachments but with one set lacking the pin. The two more modern sets of wings are both sterling silver, the earliest set of wings is unmarked and most likely flew with Wildner to Tokyo. The catch on this set is broken, otherwise very good. Sold with: two fine bullion embroidered shoulder patches, one Army Air Corps, the second C.B.I. Wildner kept these patches with his wings which may give them more significance than his other patches which have come to light. Also included is a 1944 portrait of Wildner wearing one set of these wings. Wildner left his estate to a close friend in Pennsylvania who subsequently transferred the material directly to our consignor.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipping, handling and insurance charges will be added to all invoices. Shipments are sent via FEDEX, USPS Express, USPS International Priority, and DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option. Shipments will only be sent to the registered bidder address, re-routing shipments is not permitted. All shipments require a direct signature, no exceptions. Shipping to certain countries is extremely expensive and will be invoiced according to dimensional weight as required! By law the full value is required by customs for international shipments. Please inquire before bidding! International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000